EbroVoice

EbroRose March 30th, 2009

Well last week saw us eagerly packing away all our winter tracksuits and woollies and singing “Happy Days” as we donned our shorts and sunny tops. One glorious week of blissful hot days up in the 24 degrees. Oh, we are trully blessed to be living in this corner of Eden.

What a shock when we had to light the wood fire again on Friday night as temperatures dropped, low cloud set in and rain was the order of the weekend.

However, last week was productive and we are enjoying the changing seasons of Catalonia.

Vigorously we set about re-potting our cuttings or planting out thriving young plants into the self-made garden beds – a feat in itself on rocky land, ideal for olives and almonds, but a challenge for other garden plants!

I was wheel-barrowing up one load of home cultivated compost after another from the bottom terrace. While pausing half way up to wipe the sweat from brow and cursing, “Whose bright idea it was to make this pile on the bottom terrace?” I notice young plants growing in the muck.

Oh yes!  We have potato plants now transplanted into big compost fulled plants on the patio.

“They will never grow in pots,”says him indoors the non-believer.

“Oh yes they will,” I argue back. ” If Jamie Oliver can grow spuds in a pot, so too can this Spud grow them!” I tenderly care for them daily to prove a point.

There is more.

We have now planted out 28 baby almond trees in bigger pots. All growing in my compost. All flung on there in temper last year when I had left them, by mistake in  a carrier bag and then found one of my delightful eight felines had “wee-ed” on them. Well their by-products did surely prompt rapid growth!

“What on earth are you going to do with another 28 almond trees,” says a surprised hubby.

“Plant them. Pick them. Eat them. Cook with them. All sorts of delightful things,” I say, full of the joys of spring and new life being breathed into this dry land.

Just flipped over to check Tortosa weather forecast for the week and I will not need to water the garden until the weekend, when temperatures will be baked in wonderful sunshine of 21 to 24 degrees.

To tourists coming out to this area bring change of clothing and a light waterproof jacket ideal for strolling or hiking in. Don’t let the rain spoil your vacation. Just come prepared and there is so much to do for all types of weather out here.

Just ask the locals. Read up on Tortosa Forum or ask me via my Contact page on www.BrighterSpain.com or leave your query on the Comments block.

• Hints for settlers , Vacation Rentals
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EbroRose March 21st, 2009

Everywhere I turn over the last week whenever Ryanair is mentioned, up pops the topic, “Ryanair to charge to use the loo! What do I think? ”

The aviation marketing guru of www.Simpliflying.com beggars the question on www.LinkedIn.com; “Is this good PR or bad marketing?”

Well, it certainly has shaken the network of Ryanair’s frequent flyers into talking rather more explosively. Others seem more resigned to the fact, with little or no surprise, that Ryanair will find every which way possible to charge for every function they offer. The latest one being branded about of flyers’ bodily functions: ‘Pay to use the Loo’ is met with disbelief.

“Well, I just won’t use it” they retort.

If that is the case, lets hope Ryanair sells ‘in-flight diapers’.

How will they police it? In air cloakroom attendants to empty slots and to ensure the door is not held open for the next user and the next? Or will parents on a budget see how many of ‘Ma Plotters’ clan can fit into the loo at one squeeze. We could see some new statistics appearing in the Guinness Book of records 2009 or 2010.

I have yet to read a confirmed or denied statement from Ryanair executives as to whether this was a casual innocent remark made at a stab of humour (or is it humus?) or a major blunder. Whatever, it is they are building a whole pile of compost against their brand name.

With so many voicing their complaints to each other amongst the Catalonian Expat community in Spain, I fanned the question: “So why do you fly with Ryanair?”

They answered as I expected them to do.

“Who else can we fly with from the UK and ‘Brum into Reus at that price?”

I pushed back, “What would it take to make use another airline, if they flew the same route?”

“Price! Price! Price! – for a 2 hour flight I would happily fly a DC3.”

I wonder if “they” would then charge for disposable parachutes.

Well, for now Ryanair have the brand confidence in the UK market share cornered in routes in and out of Reus, Tarragona, Spain. Lets hope in this global crisis they haven’t dug their own ‘latrine in the sky’, because the expression “Shit will fly” takes on a whole new connotation.

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EbroRose January 13th, 2009

Warm up your cold fingers and nab yourself a 25% discounted flight on:www.easyjet.com

They declare “25% off every seat, every route every day on flights from 1st March to 30th June”.

This is a double whammy as they include Easter and UK School Half-term holidays. An opportunity not to be missed in these Crisis times.

Offer ends at midnight GMT.

Where am I going to stay?  Come to Catalonia, the Brighter Spain and we have loads of different offers for you, your partner, your family and your extended family.

Drop me an email in : www.BrighterSpain.com

We can offer: short stays, mid-weeks, weekly,fortnightly or long stay holidays to suit your needs.

There is so much more to Catalonia than you would first be led to believe! Explore the Lower Ebro River Valley and Delta, the magnificent mountain ranges and natural parks and cycle and hiking routes, the caves and the historical town, wonderful family safe beaches or hidden coves, golf courses,horse riding, “Twitchers” heaven, cuisine and wine routes, leisurely strolls around street markets and seaside towns or just get your car and drive. The river enjoys kayaking and water sports, and not just taming the giant Wells Catfish and golden carp.

Come and see for yourself! But remember, those flights discount ends at midnight tonight!!!

• Fishing and more fishing , Sport , Uncategorized , Vacation Rentals
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EbroRose October 8th, 2008

Swallows View

You won’t find better prices anywhere else along the Ebro River. These introductory prices won’t last for ever. The Catfish season starts ‘hotting’ up around the 15th March and the River guides book up early in “catfish on the table ‘ season (if anyone of you recall the song).

Besides, now is the time to still find low cost flights for next year.

2008 has been a year of doom and gloom, when every evening you come home from work, switch on the telly and hopefully plan a relaxing evening away from work stress. When all you here on the news is: “Credit Crunch; Government to bail out the collapse of another giant financial demise; 2 million people soon to be on the Unemployment register”.

Woah! Get me out of here.

Well, at “RiuVista” you have the choice of short breaks from as little as 3, 4 or 5 nights. Yet, the option is still there for one or two weeks. Furthermore, if you decide you prefer 10 days due to travel arrangements or commitments, subject to availability, they will willingly oblige. The choice is yours! Dan and Lisa are waiting to greet you!

RiuVista has the choice of 2 well contained apartments.

Apartment 1:

• 1 large twin bedroom( beds can be joined for double size)
• large roof terrace with seating overlooking the pool
• kitchen area with cooking facilities and fridge
• lounge and dining area with TV and Dvd for relaxation
• bathroom with shower
• shared use of the pool with apartment 2
• BBQ equipment available – a holiday in Catalonia would not be complete without a BBQ accompanied with good local wine, Cava or “Cerveza” ( beer, to the untravelled mind)

Apartment 2:

• 2 twin bedrooms (likewise, beds can be joined to made into doubles)
• balcony with seating to overlook the peaceful garden and tranquil river views!
• Shared use of nice size pool with Apartment 1
• bathroom with shower
• kitchen area with cooking facilities and fridge
• and the enviable use of BBQ equipment to round off a perfect day on the river!
• lounge and dining area with DVD and TV

Enjoy a Tiveyns “new” fishing adventures at “RiuVista”, where the locals say they live on the “better side” of the River Ebro, just below the Wier  (L’Assut).

Interested? Want to know more about these fabulous prices?

Drop me a line : roseann@BrighterSpain.com

You will be amazed. You will be totally blown away!

• Fishing and more fishing , Vacation Rentals , Where to go
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EbroRose June 1st, 2008

I was surprised to discover how many airports in Scotland do actually offer cheap flights into Reus Airport. Reus airport is in Catalonia and between Reus and Tarragona towns.

Do not be misled where some airlines depict destination as “Reus Airport (Barcelona)”. It is no where near Barcelona and if that is your destination and you have booked to Reus you will need to catch a taxi at nothing under the whopping sum of 160 euros in one direction. An expensive error to make at the beginning of a much looked forward to mini break or holiday.

However, the site :>

http://www.cheapflights.co.uk/flights/Reus/Scotland/ 

enlightens us by offering choices of departures to Reus, Catalonia, Spain. Namely: Glasgow (GLA), Edinburgh (EDI), Aberdeen ( ABZ)  .

Dundee (DND), Inverness (INV) and Prestwick (PIK) are all available from June 3rd, 2008  to December 10th, 2008 (So you could be home for Christmas.)

The flights may not run everyday but you usually have a few flights per week.

Maybe August holidays are out of your reach, so why not look ahead to the second part of the year when Catalonia is still a lovely place to visit for hundreds of different reasons, activities. Where else can you have mountains and rivers and valleys, and be only 20 minutes from sandy golden beaches and natural parks at the Delta and Els Ports Ranges? Where an area is steeped in history and good wine is grown, play or laze.

We can still offer choices of B&B´s, Self-catering, Wells CatFishing or golf opprtunities.

www.BrighterSpain.com

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EbroRose May 25th, 2008

You no longer need to tee off from a patch of “grass” in desert conditions.

Decent “Pitch and Putt” courses (not the crazy golf style found in seaside towns) are springing up all over Catalonia. This latest news update, brings welcoming sighs of relief for the Ribera d’Ebre and Baix Ebre tourists, Expats and local Catalonians!

The Ceniolas Estates and Rasquera No 5.Village house (with 3 delightful apartments) are ideally situated for golfers to radiate out from, to enjoy many hours of golf on different courses in Tarragona province. No longer do you need to drag yourself for hours down the AP7 motorway to the South.

“Club de Golf -TEYCO” spreads its welcoming arms off the N340 between Carmales (“The Balcony of the Ebro”) and the picturesque sea town of L’Ampolla (“The Mirador del Ebre”). It boasts a Par 3 handicap, no certificate required, 18 hole new golf course and for the pleasurable sum of only 12 euros.

“Golf i Natura per tothom” = golf and nature is for everyone! “La Figuerola Resort” nestles against the landscape of Vandellos on Carretera de Mora, route C44 near the km 11.5 mark, with wonderful golf strokes on another Par 3, no certificate asked for, 18 hole course and for the princely sum of 15 euros on a weekday. Driving range is free. Hire of golf clubs, woods, trolley and a bucket (or two if you are me!) of golf balls are available. Maybe your “Better Half” doesn´t play golf. Indulge her in their Spa and beauty treatments, and share a lovely meal or drink afterwards in their superb and extensive facilities.

“Club BonMont” is definitely for the more serious and discerning golfers. Production of a golf handicap is obligatory (18 holes Par 72 Male handicap 28, female 36, for 50 euros). This course has been internationally acclaimed. Worthy of great compliments to the British designer, Robert Trent Jr. The Catalonia Open has been held here! A challenging and equally enjoyable course of 90 laudable bunkers and exhilarating waterholes to test your nerve.

“D’Aiguesverds Golf Club” in Reus is one of Spain’s longest courses (18 holes Par4) and pertains to 6314 metres and 10 lakes (one bucket of balls is not enough!). The flatness of the course makes it ideal for those of us whose knees have seen better days. After an invigorating round of golf spend a relaxing time over a tasty lunch menu.

There is more!

“El Catllar” Costa Dorada Golf Club is only 10 minutes drive from the Roman town of Tarragona. The whole layout of J.Gancedo golf design gives the perfect balance of natural pine and willowly green scenery, coupled with the aquamarine backdrop of the Mediterranean. The greens are surrounded with water and gentle hills, making for a very pleasant round of golf.

Why not stay in one of our charming accommodations and combine your love of the outdoors, fishing, (http://www.brighterspain.com/masdegeniral.html) with a few good rounds of golf under Mediterranean skies and mountain backdrops?

Please drop us a line at info@BrighterSpain.com and soon to look out for our “Golf corner”.

• Sport , Vacation Rentals
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EbroRose May 20th, 2008

Many readers are under the impression that Spain has become expensive…it’s still affordable…you just need to know where to look and to look beyond the rental door. Catalonia and the Baix Ebre and Ribera dÉbre are still offering good self-catering and Bed and Breakfast holidays.

I recently received an apology email from an enquirer who was searching for a holiday in Europe : “…of course I’ve eliminated Europe from my list,” she writes, “since everyone knows it’s become too expensive. I had my sights on a holiday this year that offered both historic & exploring options, coupled with sporting activities in Europe within reach of beaches and mountains. But from what I hear, I don’t think I can afford it anymore.”

This is a misconception. For affordable living, Catalonia in Spain is still a great choice…but you’ve got to look below the surface. We can still offer you choices for summer holidays for June, July and August.

The options are all within accessible reach to all the tourist routes for: the wonderful giant father of all rivers, The Ebro, to reel in the mighty Wells Catfish and giant golden Carp; the Natural parks of the Els Ports Mountains and The Ebro Delta (www.terresdelebre.org) alive with hundreds of species of birds; cycling and GR walking routes; country drive outs to provincial dining; bars and decent restaurants in the towns; quaint seaside ports and villages nearby; beaches and hidden coves and friendly Catalonian people; historical sites and close to Terra Alta wine cellars and so much more. Golf is becoming a prominent sport attraction out here and we have a new one between L’Ampola and Carmales just off the N340. ( A separate golf spot follows this one.)

There is a hidden beautiful region in Catalonia just waiting for you. A part of Spain that’s already well-known to birdwatchers, cyclists, hikers and those searching for the Giant Wells Catfish and huge Carp, but virtually unknown to potential expats or foreign property buyers who have only frequented the “Hotspots” of the Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca, Costa Bravo and even (accessible to us) Costa Daurado (Dorado).

But above all us, it is a wonderful area to holiday in. You need not be an adrenalin fueled or athletic enthusiast to enjoy a holiday here again and again. Catalonia is steeped in history and many Roman ruins to visit and of course the many different sites of the Civil War. Many Castles to photograph, paint or stroll around. Each of them with many stories of tehir own .Each different from the other.

A good and safe area to relocate to or to have a second home. Ideal for short breaks or long stays, maybe you want to escape the cold and wet months in your country. The Lower Ebro Valley is an amazing spot to over-winter. Yes we may get come cold spells and some winter rains, but where else is this in the UK coupled with sunny days in winter. Last year we were still wearing T-shirts in October and it was December before the cold arrived. The rains normally received in March were late this year.But we have welcomed them with relief to stay off the drought conditions threatening Catalonia, and more so Barcelona to the North of us

Come and write that novel or bring your paints and bring your camera or just bring yourself.

Contact us at: www.BrighterSpain.com

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